If you are new to the servers and don't know what I'm talking about, check out this guide here.
Thanks [DtK] [JA] Danieel. for this guide on how to use the !cp menu.
To start this off, it is NEVER appropriate to use the !cp menu if there is an admin in game paying attention. If an admin is clearly afk and you have asked either in steam or in game ("teamchat: @ <Message>") and gotten no reply then you may use the !cp menu.
Make sure that you communicate your reason/s for using the !cp menu before you start a vote. Failing to do so will usually result in lots of mic spam or chat spam along the lines of "CP ABUSE!". Often communicating the reason will fix the problem to start with.
When It Is:
1. There is only a certain few times when it is appropriate to use the !cp menu. When the above situation is in full, and when there is no admin present whatsoever (Remember to use the "!admins" command to make sure).
2. When you have actually talked to the player in question and the problem still persists and you have no other options (Remember, unless you have a demo to give to an admin, they can't act unless they've seen the incident!).
3. When a player is being overly abusive / mic spamming profusely / Spamming the chat or commands (for example, spamming "timeleft" or "nextmap").
4. Don't immediately jump to a voteban. Use a votemute/kick/swap before you go to the more extreme measures. Admins follow the mute/slay/kick/ban procedure, !cp is the player admin menu, use "common" sense and don't be too quick to use the !cp menu.
When It Isn't:
1. As soon as you are "freekilled". Don't go straight to the !cp, talk to the player/s involved and make sure that you are all clear on the situation. Often it won't even be necessary to use the menu because the offender will accept what they've done wrong and deal with the issue themselves (Slaying themselves / swapping teams).
2. When someone you don't like is the warden or talking it is NOT O.K. to do a "votemute" or any other kind of !cp vote unless they've actually done something wrong or they are breaking a/the rule/s
3. The second after you are "free"killed and are still in the "death-rage" mode. Wait until you can discuss the issue and try and keep calm and levelheaded about it. Just because it's a game doesn't mean that some/a lot/most people won't get angry. Don't be abusive, and try and use the demo feature of the game and then give it to an admin.
Thank you [DtK] [Jedi] Becca for this guide on how to record a demo.
4. Make sure that when you do use the !cp menu, you don't abuse it and make sure that you've checked on the rule that the "offender" has actually broken.
Any input / corrections or additions I need to make, comment them and I'll get into it.
Thanks Rowdy for the input and most of all, Enjoy playing the DtK servers and don't be too quick to use or abuse the privilege!